Withology

What does it take to break barriers, lead with vision and transform challenges into opportunities? For this episode of Withology, host Brian Tierney sits down with Sherry Phillips, Forbes Media's first woman CEO, to explore her extraordinary path from Philadelphia roots to media trailblazer. Together, they uncover how family values, community support, and personal grit fuel leadership, mentorship, and resilience—qualities that shape not just successful careers, but lasting legacies.    IN THIS EPISODE:  (01:38) Sherry reflects on mentors during pivotal moments in her career journey  (05:52) Sherry offers advice for younger generations and discusses the unique culture and family legacy at Forbes   (11:17) Discusses personal strategies for staying grounded and reflects on overcoming leadership challenges   (14:14) Sherry comments on the significance of becoming the first female CEO at Forbes  (19:50) Pivoting to digital and launching Forbes Under 30 has allowed Forbes to thrive  (23:56) Addresses the integration of AI into journalism, the importance of maintaining trust in the media  (29:19) Sherry looks forward and advises other industry leaders     KEY TAKEAWAYS:  Mentorship and strong family support serve as the foundation for success, cultivating resilient leadership in both business and media.  Innovation, adaptability, and a spirit of collaboration fuel personal growth while driving Forbes' continued impact and evolution.  Authentic journalism that uplifts diverse entrepreneurs and women leaders secures the enduring relevance and influence of the Forbes brand.    RESOURCES:  Brian Tierney - LinkedIn  Sherry Phillips - Forbes | LinkedIn  Forbes - Website   

What inspires you to make a difference in your community? How can you turn faith into action? In this episode of Withology, host Brian Tierney dives into the remarkable journey of Reverend Luis Cortes, founder of Esperanza, a leading faith-based organization. He built a $111 million dollar organization with 800 employees that helps 35,000 people a year in the Hunting Park neighborhood of Philadelphia, all through his relentless work ethic and mission. From his roots in Spanish Harlem to creating a Latino community powerhouse in Philadelphia, his story of social justice, economic development, and community empowerment through education, affordable housing, and healthcare access will leave you inspired.  IN THIS EPISODE:  (01:51) - Rev. Cortes shares how growing up in Spanish Harlem shaped his worldview   (03:47) - Discussion of work ethic, education, community empowerment, and understanding cultural diversity  (09:15) - Moving to Black Harlem, navigating cross-cultural opportunities, cultural clashes  and diversity   (15:57) - A pivotal decision to enter the ministry, discussions on social justice  (26:01) - Moving to Philadelphia to lead a faith-based organization and the role his family played  (31:53) - Meeting with presidents, sharing the truth, creating Esperanza and the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast   (38:33) How the Latino influenced the history of America and how to change the culture  (47:57) - The importance of Hispanic institutional development, enabling the Latino community to compete with top institutions.  BIOGRAPHY:   The Reverend Luis Cortés, Jr. is the Founder, President and CEO of Esperanza, the premier Hispanic faith-based Evangelical network in the United States.  Driven by the biblical mandate to serve and advocate for "the least of these" (Matthew 25:40), Rev. Cortés founded Esperanza in 1986, with support from the Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia.  Today, with an extensive national network of  Hispanic faith and community-based organizations, Esperanza is one of the leading voices for Latinos in America.  Leading what began as a local initiative, with programs targeted to address the unmet needs of Philadelphia's Latino community, Rev. Cortés is now sought by national and international leaders alike on issues of economic and workforce development, housing, immigration, and education. Under his leadership, Esperanza has grown from a small, 20-person operation to more than 800 employees that impact 35,000 people and have a $43 million annual operating budget.  RESOURCES: Brian Tierney - LinkedIn Reverend Louis Cortes - LinkedIn Esperanza - Website  For 30 years, Esperanza has served the 'least of these' and those who 'just need a break' (Philly Gives-Philadelphia Inquirer)

In this episode, Brian Tierney welcomes David Baiada, CEO of BAYADA Home Health Care, one of the world's largest and most trusted home healthcare providers. Together, they explore the family values that have shaped BAYADA's legacy, the company's transition to a nonprofit organization, and its bold global growth vision. David shares insights on balancing purpose with results, the role of mentorship (including lessons inspired by Kermit the Frog), and his predictions for how AI and robotics will transform the home health care industry by 2025. This conversation offers a deep dive into the universal need for care at home and Bayada's unwavering commitment to delivering compassionate and reliable service. Don't miss this inspiring family legacy. 

In this episode of Withology, Brian speakers with former city leaders from the 90s and 2000s on how we can all work together to bolster Philadelphia.

On this special live recording of Withology, Brian engages in insightful conversations with Angela Val, President and CEO of Visit Philadelphia; Sue Perrotty, President and CEO of Tower Health; Lisa Hughes, Publisher and CEO of Philadelphia Inquirer; and Stacey Robertson, President of Widener University. In this episode, each of these leaders generously shares their expertise, offering valuable insights into what it truly means to be an effective leader, especially in times of change. Get the full show notes and more resources at Briancom.com/about. 

On this episode of Withology, Steve Collis, Chairman, President and CEO of Cencora sits down with Brian for an insightful and wide-ranging conversation. Together, they discuss Steve's journey from growing up in Johannesburg, South Africa to leading Cencora, a Fortune 20 company.  Get the full show notes and more resources at Briancom.com/about.   

On this episode of Withology, Brian chats with a very close friend who is an Executive Vice President at Brian Communications, Ed Mahlman. Together, they cover Ed's time as the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Lottery and working as the Chief Marketing Officer for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com. Listen in as old friends catch up and Ed shares his wisdom in the advertising field.  Get the full show notes and more resources at Briancom.com/about. 

On episode 9 of Withology, Brian is joined by Sister Mary Scullion, president and executive director of Project H.O.M.E, a nationally recognized organization that aims to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty in Philadelphia. In this episode, Sister Mary shares her journey of spirituality, dedication to service work, and the creation of the first Outreach Coordination Center in the nation.  Get the full show notes and more resources at Briancom.com/about. 

  On Episode 8, Part 2, Brian sits down with Publisher Emeritus of Modern Healthcare, Fawn Lopez. Modern Healthcare is the healthcare industry's leading source for industry business and policy news, research and information.   In this two-part episode, Fawn unfolds her remarkable journey of overcoming adversity as a teenager and navigating the challenges of adapting to life in a new country. Her unwavering determination and achievements in the publishing realm serve as a testament to the power of resilience and persistence. Against all odds, Fawn defied expectations and emerged as a trailblazing publisher, achieving remarkable success in her career. Her story is a shining example of how tenacity and perseverance can lead to extraordinary accomplishments. Experience Fawn's incredible narrative in her book, "Unstoppable," which can be found on Barnesandnoble.com, Amazon and Fish Pond. To learn more about Fawn, head to her website fawnlopez.com.    

On this two-part episode of Withology, Brian is joined by Publisher Emeritus of Modern Healthcare, Fawn Lopez. During her 17 years of work with Modern Healthcare, the publication has grown to become the leading source of healthcare information, business and policy news, and research. In this episode, Fawn opens about her struggles as an immigrant from South Vietnam at 15 years old and adjusting to a new unfamiliar life. Get the full show notes and more resources at Briancom.com/about.  

On episode 7, Toni Pergolin – President and CEO of Bancroft – sits down with Brian for an insightful and wide-ranging conversation. Bancroft is a leading nonprofit providing support to individuals with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities. In this episode, Toni talks about her lifelong love of numbers, her mother's advice for professional success ("learn to play golf"), spearheading the campaign for Bancroft's new $75 million Welsh Campus, and what motivated her to write a book on running nonprofits.  Get the full show notes and more resources at Briancom.com/about

To kick off season two of Withology, Brian is joined by Pete Gurt, President of Milton Hershey School (MHS). MHS is one of the finest independent schools in the nation, serving nearly 2,000 young students from families of lower-income and boasting more than 11,000 alumni. In this episode, Pete offers a deeply personal account of his experience with the school, outlines his vision for the future and shares his insights on leadership in service of others. Get the full show notes and more resources at Briancom.com/about.

On Episode 5, Jami McKeon, Chair of Morgan Lewis, the seventh largest law firm in the world and the largest led by a woman, joins Brian for a special live episode of his podcast at the B. PHL Innovation Festival in Philadelphia. Jami discusses how she helped grow her firm into a multinational organization with more than 2,000 lawyers and specialists in 31 offices across three continents. She also shares candidly her views on leadership style and how she really feels about the phrase "work-life balance." Spoiler alert: the goal should be "to have a life that feels in balance." Get the show notes and more resources at https://www.briancom.com/about/

On Episode 4, Part 2, Robert "Bob" Brown, a former advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela and President Richard Nixon, takes listeners into the political arena. Bob provides insight into how he first met Bobby Kennedy and eventually came to work with him and his brother, President John F. Kennedy, before crossing the aisle to serve as Special Assistant to President Nixon in the White House. The audience is shown another side of President Nixon as Bob shares how the President empowered him to advance Black people, Black businesses and Black military leaders in America. Bob's memoir, "You Can't Go Wrong Doing Right: How a Child of Poverty Rose to the White House and Helped Change the World," is available now on Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com and Booksamillion.com. Learn more about Bob at Bobbrownspeaks.com. Get the full show notes and more resources at https://www.briancom.com/about/

On Episode 4, Part 1, Robert "Bob" Brown, a former advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela and President Richard Nixon, sits down with host Brian Tierney to discuss the hard truths that he learned growing up in the segregated South, his time with Dr. King on the front lines of the civil rights movement and what it took to make Coretta Scott King's first flight to South Africa to meet Mrs. Mandela possible. Details of this trip to South Africa are best heard directly from Bob. He puts the art of great storytelling on display as he takes listeners with him to visit Nelson Mandela in jail, becoming one of the first non-family members to visit Mandela in prison—a feat that, in the moment, Bob feared he might not live to share. Bob's memoir, "You Can't Go Wrong Doing Right: How a Child of Poverty Rose to the White House and Helped Change the World," is available now on Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com and Booksamillion.com. Learn more about Bob at Bobbrownspeaks.com. Get the full show notes and more resources at https://www.briancom.com/about/

On Episode 3, Brian Tierney is joined by Madeline Bell, President and CEO of the renowned Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). After starting her career as a pediatric and home care nurse, Madeline switched gears to enter the administration and management side of the renowned children's hospital – her experiences along the way have led her to become a truly prolific leader who has prioritized diversity, equity and inclusion, women's advancement and open lines of communication in the workplace since Day 1. Madeline's podcast, "Breaking Through with Madeline Bell," is available now on PodBean and her "Heels of Success" blog can be visited here. Get the full show notes and more resources at https://www.briancom.com/about/

On Episode 2, Brian Tierney is joined by radio and television host, political commentator and New York Times bestselling author Michael Smerconish. With a passion for politics and a few serendipitous encounters, Michael has built a highly successful career interviewing many of the world's most influential people and tackling some of the most controversial topics. Get the full show notes and more resources at https://www.briancom.com/about/

On Episode 1, Brian is joined by Emmy award-winning journalist and host of Nightline on ABC, Byron Pitts. Although he suffered from a severe speech impediment as a child, Byron leaned on his faith and the support of several influential people in his life – including his mother Clarice, a college professor, and his college roommate – to become a leading news reporter who's covered some of the world's most historical moments. For more, go to https://www.briancom.com/about/